The Doudou of Mons: Resisting the Plague and Fighting the Dragon!

Discover the magic of the Doudou (Ducasse Rituelle) of Mons, a vibrant week-long festival blending medieval legend, sacred procession, community spirit – and dragon-slaying! Updated with 2026 dates

Meet the Doudou of Mons

Over the years I have covered a number of strange and spectacular events in Belgium. These range from the deeply religious, such as the Holy Blood Procession, to the weird, such as the Cat’s Parade. Lying somewhere between them is the Doudou of Mons, with its combination of the sacred and secular. It was suggested to me by avid Discovering Belgium reader Tim Peeters (thanks Tim!). So let’s dive into the Doudou to discover its origins, traditions, and highlights, and how you can experience it in 2026.

Ancient roots and royal origins

Dating back to the 14th century, the Doudou of Mons – formally called the Ducasse Rituelle – originated in a time of crisis. In 1349, Mons faced a devastating plague. According to legend, the townspeople invoked the protection of Saint Waltrude (in French: Sainte Waudru) by carrying her reliquary in procession. (A reliquary is a container or vessel designed to hold and display religious relics, such as the bones or other remains of a saint).

Their procession (ducasse) seemed to do the trick. Miraculously, the epidemic subsided. So began an enduring tradition to celebrate this great and supernatural escape from the claws of the plague. Since 1352, the event has been held annually on Trinity Sunday (57 days after Easter), becoming both sacred rite and popular carnival. By the way, the Doudou is the name of a song that is sung during the festival.

Enter Saint George!

Over the centuries, the festival changed to match the changing political, religious, and social environment of the times. After 1380, no less a character than Saint George appeared in the procession! (Don’t ask me why). From 1440, the reconstitution of the combat between Saint George and the dragon took its place in the feast, involving what at first sight seems to be a mass brawl between the forces of good and evil!

The Doudou was suppressed during the French Revolution, but was revived in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the 1930s it was boosted by the addition of new costumes, and more recently it has seen the addition of new and exciting choreography.

A living UNESCO masterpiece

In 2005, UNESCO recognized the Doudou as one of the outstanding “Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France”. This distinction highlighted its importance as both a sacred ritual and community theatre.

What’s inside the reliquaries?

I knew you would be curious! The main reliquary supposedly holds the bones of Saint Waltrude, the 7th-century noblewoman who became the spiritual protector of Mons. A separate reliquary chest contains her skull. These relics were scientifically authenticated in 1803 and again in 1997, confirming that they belonged to a woman of Saint Waltrude’s time.

Stunning Medieval artistry

Both reliquaries are masterpieces of sacred medieval art. The larger one is a grand Gothic-style casket made of gilded copper, silver, and enamel, resting on four lion-shaped feet. It’s decorated with scenes from the life of Saint Waltrude and lined with velvet inside.

The smaller reliquary is shaped like a miniature chest and adorned with ornate motifs and precious stones. Its intricate details reflect the craftsmanship of 13th-century Mosan goldsmiths, a regional style known for elegance and symbolism. These sacred objects are normally kept in the Collegiate Church of Sainte Waudru, Mons’ spiritual and architectural centerpiece. (And well worth a visit).

What is the Doudou today?

The festivities around the Doudou now cover eight days, from Saturday to the following Sunday around Trinity Sunday.

The 2026 Doudou of Mons festivities will take place from May 27 to June 7, 2026, with the main highlights, including the procession and the Lumeçon battle, held on Trinity Sunday, May 31, 2026

There are two key rituals:

The Descent and Ascent of Saint Waltrude’s Shrine

• Saturday evening: The shrine is removed from its church altar and carried in torch-lit procession through Mons.
• Sunday morning: Mounted on the ornate Car d’Or (Golden Carriage), the shrine is paraded through the streets, drawn by horses up the steep Rampe Sainte-Waudru – a climb that locals believe secures the city’s fate if completed in a single pull. Interestingly, this single pull up the hill failed to materialize in 1918 and 1940! Now, hundreds of bystanders are keen to give the carriage a helpful push up the hill to ensure a good year ahead for Mons!

The Lumeçon: St George vs the Dragon

• Sunday around noon: On Grand-Place, a theatrical duel unfolds: St George on horseback confronts a 10-meter-long dragon, aided by allies and opposed by devils. After several attempts (including using a pistol), George defeats the dragon on the third try. The crowd then rushes in to grab hairs from the dragon’s tail – believed to bring a year of good luck. What out for some wild crowd scenes!

What to see and do at the Doudou

• Spectacular pageantry: Expect thousands of costumed participants: guilds, civic groups, giant statues, and lively musicians.
• Military band concerts: Friday evening kicks off with national and international music performances on the Grand-Place of Mons.
• Procession of the Golden Carriage: A visual highlight, interwoven with Mons’ civic and religious traditions.
• Little Lumeçon: On the following Sunday, children get their own mock battle – complete with a lighter dragon – for a heartwarming encore.
• Street festivities: The pedestrianized city center hosts street food stalls, fairs, fireworks, parades, lantern walks, and a flea market.
• The story of the Doudou is told in the Museum of the Doudou (Musée du Doudou).

Why the Doudou still matters

Mons is proud of the Doudoo as a key part of its cultural identity. Community pride and the Mons dialect take center place in the traditions. It’s also quite a spectacle. What began as a serious plague ritual still carries sacred symbolism, although now is it is clearly a lot of fun for the community and visitors. Having said that, some of the wild crowd battles appear quite unruly and dangerous, although the city is quick to state that no-one gets hurt, thanks to a strong community spirit and discipline. Finally, it’s a unique cultural spectacle, from solemn processions, rowdy riots, and children’s battles. It’s a great bit of history, theatre, and festival rolled into one.

Catching the action in 2026

As you can see, there is an awful lot happening in Mons in this year’s Doudou celebrations. If you are interested, you can consult the complete agenda. The main events are:

• Saturday May 30, 2026: Descent of the Golden Carriage with the relics of the city’s patron saint are brought down from the Collegiate Church, marking the start of the Doudou. This event typically occurs around 20:00.
• Sunday May 31: The Procession of the Golden Carriage starts at 9:30 and its Ascent takes place around 12 noon. The Battle of the Lumeçon follows soon afterwards, at around 12:30.
• Sunday June 7: The Smaller Battle of the Lumeçon for children takes place at around 12:30.

There are lots of side events throughout the week and the two weekends. I hope you find some time (and space amidst the crowds) to enjoy the Doudou of Mons.

Where to stay in Mons

Here are some top-rated accommodation possibilities in Mons for you:

• La Maison de la Duchesse de la Vallière, 10 Rue des Soeurs Noires, 7000 Mons: “Lovely building and recently renovated rooms. Gorgeous art around hotel and rooms. Access to guest kitchen and appliances.”
• B&B Compagnons11, 11, rue des Compagnons, 7000 Mons: “Very nice hosts: friendly and helpful. The house is in a perfect position to walk to the city center and the train station. Large room.”
• Le Bocage Fleuri, 3 Chemin de Bethléem, 7022 Mons: “Lovely old building with nicely decorated rooms. Set in great quiet surroundings with a lovely pool area. Nice breakfast as well. Friendly host.”

Here’s a link to other accommodation in or near Mons:

Denzil Walton

I created Discovering Belgium in 2011 to share the country’s hidden stories, fascinating places, and remarkable people. Through articles, photography, and audio walks, I share discoveries that reveal Belgium beyond the obvious. Hope you enjoy this site.